As the deadline for nominations in the Haryana Assembly elections approaches, the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are in a high-stakes negotiation to finalize a potential alliance. With just days remaining before the September 12 deadline for filing nominations, the talks between the two parties are marked by both hope and tension.
Raghav Chadha, a prominent AAP leader, emphasized the mutual desire for an alliance during recent discussions with Congress representatives. “I can only tell you that both the parties have a desire, a wish, and hope for an alliance. The last date for nomination is 12th September. We will take a decision before 12. If we don’t agree or if there is no win-win situation, we will leave it,” Chadha told reporters after a crucial meeting with Deepak Babaria, Congress in charge of Haryana.
Chadha expressed optimism about the ongoing talks, highlighting a positive environment and productive discussions. “Talks are going on in a positive environment. Good discussions are going on. I am confident. I am hopeful that some good conclusion will definitely come out of the talks in the interest of Haryana, in the interest of the country, and in the interest of democracy. I cannot share the figures with you all,” he added.
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#WATCH | On the possible alliance between AAP and Congress in the Haryana Assembly elections, AAP MP Raghav Chadha says “I do not want to make any statement on personal statements or individual seats. I can only tell you that both the parties have a desire, a wish and hope for an… pic.twitter.com/3LkBfzLdRq
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2024
On the other hand, Deepak Babaria echoed Chadha’s sentiments, describing the negotiations as a matter of days. “Congress has given me this responsibility, and this was my second or third meeting with Raghav Chadha in the last two days. We are exchanging the locations and numbers, and we hope that the results will come out in two days. It depends; if it will be a win-win situation for both Congress and AAP, then we will go into a coalition; I am trying for that. It may happen (changes in the names of already declared candidates),” Babaria said.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the looming deadline for nominations. With the final date for submitting nomination papers and withdrawal being September 12, time is running out for the parties to reach an agreement. The AAP has reportedly sought to contest 10 of the state’s 90 Assembly seats, while Congress has been hesitant to concede more than seven seats, referencing the performance of AAP in the Lok Sabha elections.
The discussions between Congress and AAP are particularly significant given their past collaboration under the INDIA bloc, which united opposition forces during the general elections and prevented the BJP from securing a majority. The need for a united front in Haryana, a key state where the BJP has won back-to-back elections in 2014 and 2019, is crucial.
In the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, the BJP experienced a setback in Haryana, securing only 5 out of 10 seats. The AAP contested one seat and lost, while Congress won five of the nine seats it contested, preventing a complete sweep by the BJP. This performance has added weight to the ongoing alliance discussions, as both parties seek to maximize their electoral prospects.
Despite the optimism expressed by Chadha and Babaria, there are internal challenges within AAP regarding the alliance. Delhi MLA Somnath Bharti has publicly questioned the effectiveness of the alliance, suggesting that the party should consider contesting all 90 seats independently. His concerns are rooted in the experience of the Congress-AAP alliance in Delhi during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, where the alliance failed to secure any seats against the BJP.
Bharti’s comments reflect a broader debate within AAP about the merits of an alliance versus a solo contest. He criticized the Congress for its lack of support during the Delhi Lok Sabha elections and stressed the need for a thorough evaluation of the alliance’s potential impact in Haryana.
In response to the controversy, Chadha remained focused on the ongoing negotiations. “Whether it is a statement by a leader of another party, or a statement by a leader of my party, or a matter of an individual seat, I will not comment on any person, allegation or seat. Hopefully, soon we will all come back to the media and give you some good news,” he said.
The AAP has also reportedly demanded at least one seat in Kurukshetra, with sources indicating that the party has prepared a Plan-B in case the alliance talks fall through and they do not secure their preferred seats.
Earlier this week, Congress released its list of 32 candidates for the Haryana polls, featuring prominent names such as Olympian Vinesh Phogat from Julana, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, and state unit chief Udai Bhan from Hodal. This move has further intensified the discussions around seat-sharing and alliance negotiations.
As the deadline for nominations draws closer, both Congress and AAP face a critical juncture in their negotiations. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for the political landscape in Haryana, influencing the strategy and prospects of both parties in the upcoming elections.
